Posted: 6/7/2008 4:09:00 PM EDT
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Do we have a bible study group here? Would anyone be interested in starting one? Just a thought that popped into my head. |
Well maybe some of us taking turns posting some scripture weekly giving our thoughts on it and just having a discussion about it passing on eachothers thoughts and knowledge. I need to get back into His Word and I am sure others do too. Any other ideas? |
Here is a good one. I will post it. We can discuss it further. Galatians 5: 13-26 KJV 13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. |
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I believe if we can become consumed with the fruit of the Spirit then we will be closer to God. We will also be better spouses, parents, and people in our community. I am sure everyone is noticing that the world is everything but this. The world is turning to a place full of adultery, fornication, hatred, witchcraft, murders, drunkards, etc. We are to strive not to be part of the world, but to set ourselves apart so we are known as God's children. I am hoping one day to bring my walk with Him closer so I can be consumed with the fruit of the Spirit. We are supposed to walk the walk, not just talk the talk and sometimes that can be hard, especially with the way the world is going. Any other thoughts on this scripture or stories anyone would like to tell?  Here is a link that breaks down each fruit of the Spirit... link |
Step back a few verses for context: Gal 5: [1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. [3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. [5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. [6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. The yoke of bondage is the Law. The natural works of do's, don't, etc. Paul is saying it's no longer about the letter of the law but the spirit of the law. It's not natural works but spiritual works. The whole book of Galatians is written for people who needed to move out of religion as they knew it and understood it and move into a spiritual relationship with God through Christ. It is only in this Christ depth of spirit that one can crucify the flesh. |
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I have been thinking about the Fruits of the Spirit a lot lately. It's very humbling to read that list and compare it against my daily walk. Here are some of my thoughts. ------------------------------- It's important to remember that while we must strive, it is not by our effort. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. If we expect that, given enough time and effort, we can produce the Fruits ourselves we are in for a big disappointment. The key is being yielded to Him. Why can't we accomplish it ourselves? Because it is to His glory to take the weak and flawed and produce something good. Another thing that has been driven home to me is the issue of being a branch which bears good fruit. It's eye opening to understand that the fruit is not produced by the branch. It is produced by the vine, to which the branch is attached, and the branch bears the fruit. You don't look at a beautiful bunch of grapes and think "What a great branch that is!" The vine is what's important, what produces the fruit. If a branch is weak or diseased, the branch will be removed to preserve the overall health of the vine. As such, I'm reminded that I need to stay close to the Lord and to look to Him for my sustenance (physical and spiritual). John 15:1-9 (ESV) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. (2) Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3) Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (7) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (8) By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (9) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." ------------------------------- I hope you found this useful and encouraging. If not, don't blame God. If so, give praise to Him alone.
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Thank you Bladeswitcher and hcook for your input on this scripture! Feel free to post your own scriptures that you find encouraging, uplifting, or just something that God laid on your heart. I have been away far too long from His Word and really need to get back into it again! |
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Just to give a little more background on the Galatians: What they were doing that Paul talks about specifically was circumcising themselves. In effect, converting from paganism to Judaism, to ultimately become Christian. So they were following the Jewish law, the "Old Covenant" to try to obtain salvation. Paul corrected them by pointing out that we are now saved by Christ and his "new covenant" into which we enter by faith, not by "works of the law". Gal 2:15-16 "We by nature are Jews, and not of the Gentiles sinners. But knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." --------------------- The passage you posted, gunneys-wife is such a great reminder for us. It's just as much true today as it was then! The virtues listed are just as much a part of salvation as our faith, for our faith is dead without them. For we receive and accept the fruits of the Spirit only if we first have faith in Jesus Christ. My favorite passage from Galatians is this one (20-21): "...I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing." Just as hcook stated, we can't accomplish it ourselves. If we could, we wouldn't need Christ's sacrifice on the cross. |
I believe that as we come to truly love God we will also develop love for our neighbor. As we love God and our neighbor we will naturally keep the commandments of God. After all, who would rob a neighbor that is truly loved? Who would commit adultery against a beloved wife or husband? Who would take The Lord's name in vain that truly loves The Lord? As we become spiritually minded the law, or rather the principles upon which God's commandments are based, becomes a natural extension of who we are. It is interesting to note that even though we have liberties, we are counseled to not abuse them as a justification for acting contrary to The Spirit. |
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I agree with Shane333. I think If you truly love the Lord, then you will do what the bible says to do, and in turn, what not to do. I think these verses are trying to say that what is in your heart, is more important than your actions. We should not be obedient to the Lord, just for the sake of being obedient and getting a "gold star" next to our name. We should be obedient because God saved us from death and therefore we love him so much that it is in our heart we want to do what pleases him. I think this is a great idea and look forward to more. |
Good thoughts. I believe that these patterns work in cycles. As we exercise faith (and love) in God we are obedient to Him. Obedience helps us draw closer to God, resulting in our loving Him even more, leading us to living more in harmony with His commandments...and so on. |